Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd April 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3^rd April 2008 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any agenda item.  Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services outlining spending variations

Noted the forecast variations in the revenue budget for 2007/08 and the position with regard to payments received and debts written-off.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the projected revenue budget out-turn for 2007/08 together with payments received and debts written-off.

RESOLVED

that the forecast variations in the revenue budget for 2007/08 and the position with regard to payments received and debts written-off be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services highlighting variations from the approved Capital Programme for 2007/08.

Noted the variations in the Capital Programme in the current year and the estimated capital and revenue impact.

By means of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and having been acquainted with variations to the Capital Programme in the current year, the Cabinet

RESOVLED

a)  that the report be received and the expenditure and timing variations noted; and

b)  that the estimated capital and revenue impact also be noted.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager inviting responses to the Regional Spatial Strategy Gypsy and Traveller Policy. The views of the Overview and Scrutiny (Service Support) on the matter are also attached.

Considered the Council’s response to the policy proposal and agreed to support it on the basis that it is consistent with the local need for Huntingdonshire identified in the Assessment of Need and the evidence base; noted the requirement for all local authorities to provide at least some pitches, including in areas where previously no or little provision has been made, and agreed that the Council reserves its position should some local authorities seek to challenge this equality of provision by any alternative redistribution which would result in unjustified increase in provision within Huntingdonshire and requested the East of England Regional Assembly to include within the policy an explanation as to why a 3% compound rate of increase is proposed and an indication that a future review will need into account the need for transit sites and the needs of travelling show people.

Further to Minutes No. 07/50 and with the aid of a joint report by the Heads of Planning Services and of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet gave consideration to the Council’s suggested response to a draft policy proposed by the East of England Regional Assembly on the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers within Huntingdonshire.

Having considered the information contained in the report and in noting the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Plan (Service Support) on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the draft policy proposed by the East of England Regional Assembly on the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers be supported on the basis that it is consistent with the local need for Huntingdonshire identified in the Assessment of Need and the evidence base.

(b)  that the requirement for all local authorities to provide at least some pitches, including areas where previously no or little provision has been made, be noted and that the Council reserves its position should some local authorities seek to challenge this equality of provision by any alternative redistribution which would result in unjustified increase in provision within Huntingdonshire; and

(c)  that the East of England Regional Assembly be requested to include within the policy an explanation as to why a 3% compound rate of increase is proposed and an indication that a future review will need to take into account the requirement for transit sites and the needs of travelling show people.

By way of a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) to note the conclusion of the Panel’s study on Promoting Better Health in Older People Through Physical Activity.

Noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) study on promoting better health in older people through physical activity had been concluded.

Further to Minute No. 07/90 a report was submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) updating Members on the current position with regard to the Panel’s study on promoting better health in older people through physical activity.

In considering the information in the report Executive Members were reminded of their previous request for clarification of the Council’s financial commitment to support a pilot programme of exercise for older people.  In that respect, Members were advised that grant funding since had been obtained from Well Being in the East for the post of Older Person’s Physical Activity Officer and that along with funding included in the Medium Term Plan the post would be supported until 2010.  Having noted that the Panel’s study accordingly had been formally concluded, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the content of the report now submitted be noted.